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- (No Model.)

M. W. MINER.

, TOE PROTECTOR OR SEPARATOR. No. 317,834. Patented May 12, 1885.

WITNESSES INVENTOR N. PETERS. PMh-Lifhogmphqr, Waihmgton. D. c.

wire STATES ATET rrrcso MARTIN W. MINER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TOE PROTECTOR OR SEPARATOR.

.Q'JPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. $17,834:, dated May 12, 1885.

Application filed December 26, 1884.

(No model.)

tor, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a very simple, cheap, and light article of very small bulk for separating the toes of the human foot from contact with each other. I therefore provide a toe-separator, which is worn inside of and is separate from the stocking. It is formed with two receptacles or pockets, each for the reception of one toe only, which, when placed on the foot as illustrated in the drawings, will give a partition or separating'layer between all of the toes. Such an article will obviously conduce both to comfort and cleanliness. The partitions between the adjoining toes prevent the rubbing or irritation of the thin and delicate skin on the sides of the toes 5 and where there are corns between the toes, as is often the case, the partition preven s theirritation of the corn, and at the same time permits of the application of suitable remedies to the corn without liability of the remedy so applied coming in contact with other parts of the foot. The article also prevents the soiling oQthe stocking when the foot becomes moist by perspiration.

I am aware that heretofore it has been proposed to make stockings with pockets or re ceptacles for each toe. I am also aware that in a recent patent it has been proposed to make a toe-coverer separate from and to be worninside of the stocking, which cover is formed with an independent receptacle or pocket for each toe. Such articles are, however, objectionable, for the reason that they are so bulky as to cause discomfort instead of comfort, and they are also so warm as to keep the foot overheated. My improved toe-separator, however, separates each pair of toes by a single layer of material only, and only two of the toes are inserted in the pockets. The article is therefore cool and light.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a View of a human foot showing my improved toe-separator. Fig. 2 is a' detached perspective view of the article.

The protector A, which may bemade of kid, felt,silk,wool,cotton,or any suitable material,

is formed with two pockets or two receptacles,"

which are joined at one end by webs I), both at the upper and lower sides, as shown in the drawings. Iprefer, however, to dispense with the lower web and only use the one which lies on the top of the foot. Between the two receptacles a a sufficient space is left for the toe 0 between the twocovered toes d and e. The pockets or receptacles a for the toes may be open at the ends, as shown, or may be closed.

It will be plain from the drawings, without further description, that when the article is applied to the foot so as to inclose the second and fourth toes in the pockets a there will be apartitionof the material between all the toes.

I claim as my invention The herein-described article formed, sub stantially as set forth, with but two toe pockets or receptacles, a, for the second and fourth toes, having sufficient space between them for the third toe, and a connecting web or webs, 1), whereby a single partition of separating material is provided between all of the toes.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

MARTIN WV. MINER.

Witnesses:

ELMoRE W. BEARDSLEY, \VALLAoE D. EMBREE. 

